Wednesday, December 29, 2010

PS22 Chorus has been all over Germany recently, at least in print! The kids first appeared earlier this month in Dein Spiegel (pic above, and big thanks to writer Severin Mevissen for copies of the magazine)! The kids were again featured in today's issue of the Koehlner Stadt-Anzeiger!The online version can be found here. A big danke schön to all of our German friends!! We appreciate the support from overseas!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Well it's no secret of the big news that was revealed via Anne Hathaway at the PS22 Chorus Winter Concert 2010, but of course that doesn't take away from the amazing show that took place before the big reveal! Catch some highlights from this year's holiday performance below!

One of the best that night wasn't even on the program. Fortunately we were feeling spontaneous! Check out this ASTOUNDING rendition of "He Loves Me" by Jill Scott (also inspired by the version by Karen & KiKi Clark Sheard). And Denise on those leads? Nothing short of a revelation!

Another definitive highlight was seeing the debut of the fourth grade chorus (aka PS22 Chorus of 2012)! Kevin is awesome calling upon his best inner James Brown, and shows why he won the PS22 American Idol Graniteville Edition in 2008, back when he was in 1st grade! The fourth graders enthusiasm nearly stole the show, and left everyone wanting more!!

Alicea also returned to the stage, this time as a third grader, singing the Christmas classic "Jingle Bell Rock!" And rock it she did!! This little firecracker is getting ready to explode -- enough to almost make you want to fast forward to PS22 Chorus of 2013!!

2009 PS22 Chorus member Allie returns with this powerful rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and demonstrates how she became a legend 'round these parts.

Thanks to Ms. Lisa for all the amazing videos, and to my dad, Victor Breinberg, for all the incredible pics on this post. More below!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Make sure you bring in the holiday season the best way possible -- with PS22 Chorus! First, catch the 2 hour FOX NEWS CHANNEL (FNC) Christmas Special, "A FOX & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS," airing at 8:00 PM tonight. It will re-air several times throughout the night (2AM & 4AM), and then on Christmas day for one last airing at 1:00 PM.

Also, make sure to watch the TODAY Show on NBC on Christmas morning, December 25th at 7:00 AM for another holiday-themed performance.

Check out the PS22 Chorus of 2010 singing "O Holy Night" from last year's TODAY Show appearance.

Always my absolute favorite trip of the year, on Monday the PS22 Chorus of 2011 brightened up the holidays for the seniors at Sunrise Assisted Living in Staten Island. The kids show the immense depth of soul and kindness behind their sweet harmony, and I'm so proud of the new group for genuinely understanding the importance of giving back.

Thanks to Ms. Lisa for the fantastic video footage of the performance, and to Ms. Laurie for the beautiful pics that accompany this post.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Pic by (and used with kind permission of): Paul Martinka of the NY Post

So it's safe to say that many lives have been turned completely upside down at PS22 with the announcement that the PS22 Chorus of 2011 is being flown to Hollywood to be part of the 2011 Academy Awards Ceremony! These past 2 days have been insane -- the kids have been featured on every major TV network, the press has been on a feeding frenzy, and the kids are still at their homework!! The public response has been overwhelming to say the least! Speaking on behalf of the kids, we are all beyond grateful for the enormous opportunities bestowed upon us the last several years. Speaking on my own behalf, I can say these kids deserve everything that's coming to them, and I have never been so proud. I don't want the blog to start sounding like an Oscar acceptance speech, so I'll stop there. The video below speaks for itself. Enormous thanks to Jonathan Kalafer for capturing the intense elation and emotion of a night we'll never forget!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Actress Anne Hathaway, co-host of the upcoming 2010 Oscars, and producer Bruce Cohen paid PS22 a visit at last night's 2010 Winter Concert to give the kids the most exciting news!!! The PS22 Chorus of 2011 will be walking the red carpet and performing at this year's Academy Awards Ceremony!!! Thanks to Ms. Lisa for the fantastic video capturing this unforgettable moment!!

Footage from the amazing night is set to air on Entertainment Tonight later today. (Check your local listings!!) Thanks to Victor Breinberg (my awesome dad!) for the great pics on the post! And stay tuned for more updates on our Oscar journey, AND some highlight performances from the concert!!

Friday, December 10, 2010

The PS22 Chorus of 2011 take on Eminem in this astounding acoustic version of "Not Afraid!" The kids bring a whole new meaning to the song with their reinvention of this modern hip hop classic! Brianna ("Krispy Kreme") & Jonathon do an incredible job on their respective solo parts, and Marquis takes to the drums again to give it that extra punch! Definitely a new favorite!! Thanks to Ms. Lisa for the fantastic filming!!

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Thanks to our friend and collaborator, Matisyahu, for including the PS22 Chorus version of "Chanukah Chanukah" in his Chanukah-themed YouTube playlist, and plugging the chorus in his video introducing said playlist below! (The PS22 plug comes in at 38 seconds into the video.)

Thursday, December 02, 2010

I wrote this song for the PS22 Chorus several years ago but never recorded it, so I felt it was time to bring this one back. The kids sing this so beautifully and it's not an easy arrangement. This year's chorus added its own magic touch to the performance, and it's a lovely rendition that I'm quite proud of! Hope you all enjoy too!! Thanks to Ms. Lisa for her beautiful filming, and a happy Chanukah to all who are celebrating from all of us at PS22!!

PS22 Chorus fans have spoken and the top 3 celebrity quotes go to Kylie Minogue, Celtic Woman & Tori Amos! Of course we here at 22 are equally proud of them all, and of course you can see all the fantastic PS22 celebrity endorsements on the left sidebar!

And make sure you vote in our new December Poll on the right sidebar! This month's poll allows you to vote for your favorite PS22 holiday performance! Be an educated voter, and take some time to watch all the nominated videos below! What better way to get into the holiday spirit?

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol